The Seattle Mariners have had a productive offseason on the heels of a historic season, one that saw them break their 20-year postseason drought.
Seattle won 90 games in the regular season and have added some key pieces this offseason in slugger Teoscar Hernandez and veteran second baseman Kolten Wong.
But late on Thursday, the Mariners took a chance on a veteran infielder who had been cast aside by the San Francisco Giants.
Tommy La Stella, who has spent time with the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Angels, and Oakland Athletics in addition to his time in San Francisco, is headed to Seattle for the league minimum of $720,000.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today provided the news on Twitter.
The Seattle #Mariners sign veteran infielder Tommy LaStella for the minimum $720,000 after being released by the #SFGiants, who are on the hook for the remainder of his $11.5 million salary.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 20, 2023
La Stella signed a three-year deal with the Giants prior to the start of the 2021 season.
This past season, he hit just .239 with two home runs and 14 RBI.
The Giants are still on the hook for the remaining $11.5 million from his contract.
La Stella can play multiple infield positions and serve as a utility infielder, as well as a bat off the bench.
The 33-year-old’s best season came in 2019 with the Angels.
That year, the veteran utility infielder hit .295 with 16 home runs and 44 RBI.
La Stella could be used as a replacement for Abraham Toro, who was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in the deal for Wong.
The Mariners earned the second Wild Card spot in 2022 and eliminated the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round before falling short against the Houston Astros in a very one-sided ALDS.
